Mrs. LeVine

Last week in math we started Unit 6, “Whole Number Operations and Number Stories.”  We practiced solving addition problems, focusing on adding three numbers together.  We solved comparison number stories.  On Friday we worked together to solve an Open Response challenge.  This week we will have a Data Day- we will collect, sort, tally, and graph data.  We will also use all of the number story diagrams that we have learned throughout the year to solve addition and subtraction number stories.  We will spend a few days practicing subtraction with 2-digit numbers; solving problems that require “trading” like 53- 16 (when the bottom number in the ones place is bigger than the top number.)

 This week in Journeys we will continue focusing on Facts and Opinions.  Facts are true and can be proven; opinions are beliefs or feelings.  We will discuss monitoring and clarifying as we read.  Good readers monitor their understanding by asking “does this make sense?” If it does not, they go back and clarify.  We will discuss contractions and verbs in the present, past and future. 

High-Frequency words: because, better, go, me, old, really, right, they, was, you

Vocabulary words: millions, choices, drift, simple, weaker, wrapped, disgusting, decide

Last week during Writing Workshop the students continued writing instructions.  They all thought great openings and included a list of items the reader would need. This week they will start writing their steps.

 Notes and Reminders:

• We are in need of healthy Brain Boost snacks.  We will still be having snack on cold days!
• A Scholastic Book order was sent home last week.  Please place your orders online (or submit them to me) no later than January 26^th. 
• This Thursday, January 26^th, Dr. Tatia will be presenting the “State of the School Address” at 9:30AM & 6 PM.
• There is no school for students this Friday, January 27^th.

 Questions to ask at home:

• Practice subtraction problems that require trading like 51
•                                                                                                          -  37
• Discuss facts and opinions in the stories you read at home. 
• Make sure you are monitoring your at home reading.  If you are confused, stop and clarify!
• What is the strong opening that you included in your writing?  What are your steps?

 Homework:

Dear Familes, 

Last week in math we finished Unit 5, “3-D and 2-D Shapes.”  We discussed 3-D shapes (prisms, cubes, spheres, pyramids, and cones), built different types of pyramids using marshmallows and toothpicks, and discussed symmetry.  The students took the Unit 5 test on Friday.  This week we will start Unit 6, “Whole Number Operations and Number Stories.”  We will practice solving addition problems, focusing on adding three numbers together.  We will also solve comparison number stories.  On Friday we will work together to solve an Open Response challenge. 

 This week in Journeys we will focus on Facts and Opinions.  Facts are true and can be proven; opinions are beliefs or feelings.  We will discuss monitoring and clarifying as we read.  Good readers monitor their understanding by asking “does this make sense?” if it does not, they go back and clarify.  We will discuss contractions and verbs in the present, past and future.  Because of the short week, we will spend two weeks on this unit.

High-Frequency words: because, better, go, me, old, really, right, they, was, you

Vocabulary words: millions, choices, drift, simple, weaker, wrapped, disgusting, decide

 Last week for Writing Workshop we discussed how to write instructions. The students planned their stories by telling their instructions to partners and then completed graphic organizers.  This week the students will use their organizers to write paragraphs.

 Notes and Reminders:

• We are in need of healthy Brain Boost snacks.  We will still be having snack on cold days!
• A Scholastic Book order was sent home last week.  Please place your orders online (or submit them to me) no later than January 26^th. 
• Next Thursday, January 26^th, Dr. Tatia will be presenting the “State of the School Address” at 9:30AM & 6 PM.
• There is no school for students next Friday, January 27^th.

 Questions to ask at home:

• Create comparison number stories. (I scored 4 points, you scored 10.  How many more points did you score?)
• Discuss facts and opinions in the stories you read at home. 
• Make sure you are monitoring your at home reading.  If you are confused, stop and clarify!
• What are the instructions that you are writing for Writing Workshop?  What are the steps you included?

 Homework:

Last “year” in math we started Unit 5, “3-D and 2-D Shapes.”  We practiced drawing different types of line segments using a straightedge and discussed the concept of parallel lines.  We also discussed polygons, closed shapes with straight sides.  This week we will discuss 3-D shapes (prisms, cubes, spheres, pyramids, and cones.) On Tuesday we will build different types of pyramids using marshmallows and toothpicks! On Wednesday, we will complete our last lesson in Chapter 5, which focuses on symmetry.  We will review the unit on Thursday and the students will take the Unit 5 test on Friday. 

 This week in Journeys we will focus on Understanding Characters.  We will discuss character traits based on what characters say and do, their words and actions. We can understand character traits by using background knowledge, comparing characters to real people we know.  We will practice summarizing, retelling the most important events in a story. We will also discuss verbs in the present tense and synonyms.

High-Frequency words: afraid, dark, for, kept, many, might, own, show, why, would

Vocabulary words: tunnel, curled, height, direction, toward, healed, brag, tease

 Last week in science we used “counterweights” to balance a pencil on a craft stick, using only a piece of wire and two clothespins!  This week we will explore tops.  We will have a contest to see who can create a top that spins (or rotates) the longest.  We will discover that fast spinning big tops are more stable and spin longer.

 Notes and Reminders:

• This week all second grade students will start Latin classes!  Mrs. Schmidt will come to our room on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• As I mentioned before, every time the students draw a ‘line segment’ in school and at home they must use a ruler, or straightedge.  Please keep this in mind as the students complete their homework.
• Winter Wish List: We are in need of some small (sandwich sized) Ziploc bags and hand wipes. Any donations would be appreciated.  Thank you!

 Questions to ask at home:

• Look for 3-D shapes in your house. (cereal boxes = prisms, basketballs = spheres, etc.)
• What are vertices, edges, and faces of a 3-D shape?
• What is symmetry?  Find things in your house that are symmetrical.
• Discuss different characters in the books you read at home.  Discuss their words and actions and their character traits (the way they act.)
• Practice summarizing as you read at home. Make sure to only retell the most important parts of the story.
• What do you need to make a top start spinning?  (a force)

Homework:

Dear Parents, 

Last week in math we finished Unit 4.  On Thursday we started Unit 5, “3-D and 2-D Shapes.”  We sorted shapes according to their attributes (shape, size, and color) and created cards to play a Clock Concentration game.  This week we will practice drawing different types of line segments using a straightedge and discuss the concept of parallel lines.  We will also discuss polygons, closed shapes with straight sides.  Every time the students draw a ‘line’ in school and at home they must use a ruler, or straightedge.  Please keep this in mind as the students complete their homework.

 This week in Journeys we will focus on Main Ideas and Details.  A main idea is an important idea about the topic.  A supporting detail is a fact that tells more about a main idea.  We will also practice visualizing, forming pictures in our minds, as we read. We will discuss verbs and adding the endings -s, -ed, and -ing to words.  We will also discuss compound words like butterfly and rainbow.

High-Frequency words: before, eye, few, happy, high, my, open, people, starts, yellow

Vocabulary words: beware, damage, bend, flash, pounding, prevent, reach, equal

 Last week in science we used “counterweights” to help us balance triangles and arches. 

This week in week we will do a fun and exciting experiment.  The students will balance a pencil on a craft stick, using only a piece of wire and two clothespins!

Have a great vacation!  See you in 2012!

Notes and Reminders:

• A Note from Mr. Alstadt:RaySchoolwill be celebrating its annual Holiday Assembly on December 22, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. The Music and World Language Departments have collaborated once again to provide Ray students and parents with a performance filled with holiday songs from around the world and dances fromSpainandMexico.   Please note that there will be only one assembly on this day. 
• We have decided that our “costume” for the assembly will be a solid shirt (no writing or designs) and dark pants.  The girls can wear a skirt or dress if they would like to.
• Winter Wish List: We are in need of some small (sandwich sized) Ziploc bags and hand wipes. Any donations would be appreciated.  Thank you!

Questions to ask at home:

• Look for the main ideas of the stories you read at home.  What are the supporting details?
• What are parallel lines?  Why do we use a straightedge to draw lines in math?
• Were you able to make your pencil balance on its tip?  Explain how!

Homework:

Last week in math the students started using “paper and pencil” strategies to solve 2- digit addition problems.  I introduced the students to the “partial sums method” and they caught on quickly!   This week we will finish Unit 4.  The students will have a Unit 4 Review Sheet for Homework on Monday.  We will check the Review Sheet in class on Tuesday.  The students will take the Unit 4 test on Wednesday. 

 This week in Journeys we will focus on Making Conclusions and Analyzing.  When we make conclusions we make a smart guess (using clues) about what the author does not say.  When we analyze what we are reading we think very carefully about it.  We will discuss proper nouns and homophones like pear-pair and sea-see.

High-Frequency words: air, car, cried, funny, he, pictures, pretty, told, try, window

Vocabulary words: blooming, shovels, scent, tough, wrinkled, plain, muscles, nodded

 Last week in science we used “counterweights” to help us balance paper crayfish in many different ways.  This week we will balance triangles and arches, again using counterweights.  We will use a craft stick as our balance point, the place where the object is balanced. 

 Notes and Reminders:

• Chicago Public Schools is in the process of updating family contact information electronically.  Please visit my blog (which can be on through the Ray School Website) to enter your information.
• Please place your Scholastic book orders online or submit the order and payment to me by 12-15.
• A Note from Mr. Alstadt:RaySchoolwill be celebrating its annual Holiday Assembly on December 22, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. The Music and World Language Departments have collaborated once again to provide Ray students and parents with a performance filled with holiday songs from around the world and dances fromSpainandMexico.   Please note that there will be only one assembly on this day. 

 Questions to ask at home:

• Practice adding double digit addition problems using the partial sums method.
• Make conclusions in the books you are reading at home.  What do you know that the author didn’t tell you?
• What does balancing mean? How can we use counterweights to help objects balance? What is a balance point?

 Homework:

The students all created their own Aztec Calendars.  They choose one god to put in the center and created patterns around that image.  They did great work!

Click on the video below to see their great work

Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.

Dear Parents,
Last week in math we worked on Unit 4, “Addition and Subtraction.” We discussed how to make estimates and use estimation to solve problems when an exact answer is not necessary. We also developed strategies for solving 2-digit addition in our heads. This week the students will start using “paper and pencil” strategies to solve 2- digit addition. I will introduce the students to the “partial sums method.” For problems like: 38 + 29 the students are not allowed (as of now) to add 8+9 and write down the 7 and then “carry” the 1 above the 3. Please refer to the worksheets and Home Links that will come home to clarify this method. The students will have a Unit 4 Review Sheet for Homework on Wednesday. We will check the Review Sheet in class on Thursday. The students will take the Unit 4 test on Friday.

This week in Journeys we will focus on Text and Graphic Features. Graphic Features are photos or drawings (such as maps or charts) that stand for ideas or add details to the text. Text Features are parts of the text such as titles, headings or special type. We will also practice asking questions as we read. We will discuss nouns that change their spelling when they become plural: child-children, man-men, goose-geese, etc.
High-Frequency words: animals, bear, know, most, myself, second, she, sleep, three, word
Vocabulary words: shaped, branches, pond, beaks, deepest, break, hang, winding

Notes and Reminders:
•Thank you to Aiden’s mom and Cynthia’s mom for volunteering in the classroom and working with students!
•Thank you to Sophia’s mom and Bryson’s mom for joining us on last week’s field trip!
•Chicago Public Schools is in the process of updating family contact information electronically. Please visit my blog (which can be on through the Ray School Website) to enter your information.
•A Scholastic Book Order was sent home last week. Please place your orders online or submit the order and payment to me by 12-15.

Questions to ask at home:
•Practice adding double digit addition problems using the “partial sums method.
•Look for Text and Graphic Features in the books you are reading at home. How do they help you understand the story better?

Homework:

Chicago Public Schools is in the process of updating family contact information electronically. Please click on the link below to submit your information

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dGsxTm5zZnZWV3hld3VfUjVJZUFScXc6MQ#gid=0

Dear Parents, 

Last week in math we started Unit 4, “Addition and Subtraction.”  We solved Change-to-More and Parts-and-Total number stories.  We also discussed measuring temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius and used attributes (size, shape, and color) to describe shapes.  This week we will solve number stories about temperature change.  We will discuss how to make estimates and use estimation to solve problems when an exact answer is not necessary; when we want to know “about” how much items cost.  We will also develop strategies for solving 2-digit addition in our heads.  We will explore measuring with inches and centimeters.

 This week we will return to our weekly Journeys routine.  We will focus on Story Structure.  We will identify the characters, setting and plot of a story. We will discuss the order of the events in a story, including the problem and how it gets solved.

High-Frequency words: both, little, cold, long, eat, says, find, table, green, we

Vocabulary words:  wonderful, share, noises, noticed, quiet, bursting, sprinkled, suddenly

 We will continue to work in our “Air and Weather” unit in science.  During our last science lesson we learned about 3 different types of clouds- cumulus, stratus and cirrus.  This week we will discuss wind speed and the students will create their own pinwheels!

 Notes and Reminders:

• Our next field trip is this Thursday, December 1^st.  We will be going to see The Witches at the Merle Reskin Theater.
• A “Five Fundamentals Family Survey” is being sent home today.  The feedback will be used for our School Improvement Plan. Please complete one and return it in your child’s folder.  (If you’ve already completed one, recycle it!)
• Thank you to everyone who sent in food for the Potlatch.  We had a great time! I’m going to attempt to put some pictures of the potlatch on my blog.

 Questions to ask at home:

• Ask estimation questions like: Is 52 closer to 50 or 60?  What is the ballpark estimate for 29 + 41? (30 + 40= 70)
• Ask estimation questions like: A pencil costs 28¢ and a pen costs 52¢.  ABOUT how much do they cost together?    (30 + 50 = about 80¢)
• What are the different ways to describe wind?  (calm, gentle breeze, moderate breeze, and strong breeze)  Which one describes today’s weather?

 Homework:

Dear Parents, 

Last week in math we learned how to make change when buying something.  We counted up from the amount we “owe” to the amount we “paid.”  We also practiced making purchases for items under $1. The students took the Unit 3 Test on Thursday.  This week we will start Unit 4, “Addition and Subtraction.”  The main areas of focus of this unit are solving number stories and developing different strategies for adding 2 and 3 digit numbers.  This week we will solve Change-to-More and Parts-and-Total number stories.  Please remember to read the Family Note at the top of each Home Link, which explains the work we complete in class.

 This week we finish our “First Americans” unit.  Last week the students did amazing work!  They wrote stories using Picture Writing and painted brown bag parfleches, a Native American rawhide bag.  This week the students will present their projects.  We will also read and discuss a story about Squanto and the First Thanksgiving.  We will focus on sequencing the events in the story to better understand Squanto’s life and the history of this holiday. 

 We will continue to work in our “Air and Weather” unit in science.  This week the students will use cotton balls to create the 3 different types of clouds (cumulus, stratus and cirrus) that we discussed last week.

 Notes and Reminders:

• This week is the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.  We are collecting canned goods, non-perishable food and unopened paper goods.
• Last week a note was sent home regarding a potlatch, a gift-giving festival, which all second grade students will attend on Wednesday morning.  Please send food donations with your child on Wednesday.  We will be enjoying the snacks and exchanging gifts with the other second grade classes.
• There is no school this Thursday or Friday- Happy Thanksgiving!

 Questions to ask at home:

• Make up “Change to More” number stories like:  A fish weighed 17 ounces.  It ate 5 ounces of food.  How much does it weigh now?
• Make up “Parts and Total” number stories like: I paid 34¢ for an apple and 23¢ for a drink.  How much did I spend altogether?
• What are the differences between cumulus, stratus, and cirrus clouds?
• What would you like to bring for Wednesday’s potlatch?

Homework:

Dear Parents, 

Last week in math we worked on Unit 3, “Place Value, Money and Time.”  We collected data about the number of pockets the students in our class were wearing.  We found the middle value, and graphed this information two different ways.  We learned about “Frames and Arrows” with two rules. 

This week we will learn how to make change when buying something.  We will count up from the amount we “owe” to the amount we “paid.”  We will also practice making purchases for items under $1. The students will have a Unit 3 Review sheet on Monday. The Unit 3 Test will be on Thursday.

 This week we will continue our “First Americans” unit.  We will write stories using Picture Writing and finish an American Indian art project.  Remember: the students’ First Americans project is due by November 21^st.  Projects completed before the 21^st can be brought in early.  Each student will have to do a short presentation explaining their project to the rest of the class.

 We will continue to work in our “Air and Weather” unit in science.  During our last science lesson we discussed temperature and made thermometers.  This week we will learn about 3 different types of clouds- cumulus, stratus and cirrus.

 Notes and Reminders:

• Remember, during November we will have Library on Tuesdays.
• Report Card Pick Up is this Wednesday, November 16^th.  Thank you to everyone who has already signed up.  If you have not signed up yet, please send me a note or email me.  I will send home a note on Tuesday reminding everyone of their time.
• There is no school for students this Wednesday, November 16^th or this Friday, November 18^th.
• The students will present their First American projects next week, November 21-23.

 Questions to ask at home:

• Ask questions about money.  For example: What are 3 ways to make 32¢
• Ask questions about making change.  For example: I paid 75¢ for a pencil that costs 60¢.  What is my change?  (Count up from 60 to 75)
• What group are you going to focus on for your First Americans project?  What artifacts are you going to include?   

 Homework:

Dear Parents, 

Last week in math started Unit 3, “Place Value, Money and Time.”  We reviewed place value in 2 and 3-digit numbers and practiced telling and writing time.  This week we will collect data about the number of pockets the students in our class are wearing.  We will find the middle value, and graph this information two different ways.  We will also learn about “Frames and Arrows” with two rules.

 This week we will continue our “First Americans” unit.  This week we will create some American Indian art!  Remember- the students’ First Americans project is due by November 21^st.  Projects completed before the 21^st can be brought in early.  Don’t forget: each student will have to do a quick presentation explaining their project to the rest of the class.

 We will continue to work in our “Air and Weather” unit in science.  We will discuss temperature and finish making the thermometers that we started last week.  We will practice reading temperatures on our thermometers.

 Notes and Reminders:

• Remember, during November we will have Library on Tuesdays.
• There is no school this Thursday or Friday.
• Thank you to Ashlynn’s grandma, Geoffrey’s mom, and Georgia’s dad for joining us on our trip to the Field Museum last week! 
• Report Card Pick Up is next Wednesday, November 16^th.  This year the sign up procedure is a bit different than in the past.  Each teacher will be organizing his/her own schedule.  I will be sending home a note asking for your requests and will have the signup sheet with me at dismissal.  I will do my best to accommodate your choices!

 Questions to ask at home:

• Practice reading all of the clocks that you see.  Draw clocks to match the time of day.
• What’s the difference between a tally chart and a bar graph?
• What are words you can use to describe today’s weather?  (freezing, cold, chilly, warm, hot, sunny, partly, overcast, snowy, rainy)
• What group are you going to focus on for your First Americans project?  What artifacts are you going to include?   

 Homework: